Dual wheel vehicle brake



3 Sheds-Sheet 1 Filed July 29; 1938 MW 'rro RNEYS Feb. 27, 1940. 'c. s. ASH

DUAL WHEEL VEHICLE BRAKE Filed July 29, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "nunumnnmll Feb. 27, 1940. c. s. ASH

DUAL WHEEL VEHICLE BRAKE Filed July 29, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 VE TOR I (j ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 21,1940

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mm. when. 1mm

Charles s. m, Milfo d, lfloh.

Application July 20, 1938, Serial No. 221,868 12 Claims. (01. 188-18) 'The invention relates to new and useful improvements in vehicular dual wheel structure's andv moreparticularly to improvements in the mountings of the dual wheels on the axles for 5 independent rotation and in the means for exerting uniform braking action on the wheels.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice 10 with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of'the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in-the novel parts,-constructions, arrangements, combinations and imi5 provements herein shown and described.

The accompanylngdrawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of 20 the invention.

Of the drawings: Fig. 1 is a transverse section of an exemplary dual wheel assembly; Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;.

,25 Fig. 3 is a detached plan view showing the clutch actuating finger and its supporting annulus;-

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1; and

3 v Fig. 5 is a transverse section, similar to'Fig. 1 1

and showing a somewhat different lubricating system.

Objects of the invention are to provide a novel wheel assembly of relatively simple and powerful 35 construction, having ample bearings for independently rotatable side-by-side wheels, capacitated to transport heavy loads-over practically allkinds of roads, while at the same time imposing minimum wear upon the tires and minimum 0 strains upon the wheels; to provide simple, reli-' able and efllcient braking means under the control of the driver and acting automatically to dangers and disadvantages of dry bearings, either in the wheel assembly itself or in the braking and clutching mechanism. In the present illustrative embodiment. the wheel assembly is shown ,5 mounted upon a rigid axle, although a variable face of the inner-wheel.

camber axle mounting, such as shearing-carry. ingskein pivoted horizontally to the axle, may be employed, also ample bearings capable of sustaining long protracted and heavy road and load duty are provided, and in this embodiment, this 5 has been efl'ected in compact form by joumalling one wheel on the hub of the other. I The automatic clutching of the wheels during application of braking pressure is effected by creating'relative movement of the driver-operated braking mechanism and its wheelto actuate the clutching mechanism to effect the desired concurrent and uniform braking action on both wheelsso as to avoid scraping, dragging and unnecessary wear.

of the tires. Other features and objects will ap-- pear from the following description, and it will and I mounted on the axle, the hub ll. of the inner wheel I2 being mounted 'on'the outer race I rings l3 and ll of said bearings. The race 3 ring- 6 abuts ,on a shoulder l'i. formed on the axle l, and the race ring I is held in place by a lock-- lug nut l8, screw-threaded onto the end of the axle. The outer race rings 13 and .ll of said bearings abut on suitable annular shoulders. formed on. the inside-of the hub H. 'Ihe hub of the inner wheel I2 is relatively long, and serves as a broad bearing on which the hub 2i of the outer wheel 22 is rot'atively mounted. I The wheels l2 and 22 are provided-with suitable rims 23 and, upon which-the tires are mounted. The inwardly-extending hub 2i of the outer wheel 22 is likewise of elongated form so as to furnish a broad bearing for the outer wheel. Suitable bushing rings 21 and 28' are interposed in the 5 bearing between the hub ll of the inner wheel l2 and the hub'2l -oi.' the outer wheel 22. The inner face of the hub 2| abuts on a floating thrust washer 3i which in turn abuts onto a shouldered washer 22 abuts on the exterior face of the-hub 2|, anda locking nut 32 is screw-threaded onto the exterior end of the hub I I of the inner wheel, I

A like floating thrust independent rotation, with ample bearings capable of standing up under protracted heavy duty. A cap 34 is bolted onto the outer face of the hub of the outer wheel 22, to enclose and protect the ends of the axle and the hubs.

Means are provided whereby braking pressure may be applied through a single braking mechanism, and to one of the independently rotating wheels, and on application of the braking or retarding action, the mechanism acts automatically to clutch the wheels together, so that the braking action is applied uniformly to both wheels. As here embodied, the inner Wheel l2 has a tubular hub portion 39 extending inwardly from the web of the wheel, and spaced apart from the axle I. Mounted exteriorly on the hub extension 39 is the inwardly extending hub 49 of a fiat circular brake drum support or adapter 4|, with an interposed bushing 38, the fiat member 4| having on its exterior face bearing rings 43 and 44, which bear against a fiat inner surface 45 of the web of the wheel l2. Thus the brake drum support 4| is rotatively mounted on the hub member 39 of wheel l2, and has limited angular movement,

as later described, the fiat circular plate portion of the support 4| being slidable upon the inner face 45 of the wheel l2. A brake drum 5|, which may be of some standard or other similar form is mounted on support 4 I, and as shown has in its flat outer end a circular concentric opening, which fits onto an annular shoulder 52, formed on the inner side of the support or adapter 4|. Any suitable form of brake pressure supplying means may be provided, and is shown conventionally as of the inner double shoe expanding type, the shoe 55 being pivotally supported at 56 and acted on by the expander 51 which is operated from any'suitable brake control mechanism. Within the tubular inner hub 39 of the wheel |2 there is provided an oil seal 59, and a spacing ring 69, which abuts on a shoulder 6| formed on the axle. A dished, centrally apertured lubricant catcher 62 is fixed to the inner fiat end of the drum 5| and is located within but spaced from the inner end of the bearing. This device catches any excess lubricant escaping from the inner end of the wheel hub. This lubricant is carried outwardly and escapes through openings in the fiat face of the brake drum, and thus is prevented from getting into the brakes.

Referring now to the embodied form of means for automatically clutching the two wheels together to effect concurrent and uniform braking, there is formed on the inner face of the outer wheel 22 an inwardly-extending drum H, the outer circular'rim thereof abutting on the web of the inner wheel l2, an oil seal 12 being interposed between the outer annular face of the drum and an annular shouldered part 13 formed on the outer face of the web of wheel I 2. Within the drum H is nested a clutching and declutching member comprising an annular and circumferentially interrupted or split shoe 11, said shoe having an outer layer 18 of brake lining or like suitable material. Fixed to the two ends of the annular or arcuate shoe 11 are two thrust pieces 19 and 99, and projecting outwardly from the outer face of the web ofthe inner wheel I2 is a stop lug 83, which fills the space between the thrust pieces 19 and 89, and serves to hold the shoe 1! in position within the drum II, and normally in declutching position. Diametrically opposite the mechanism just described devices are provided for keeping the shoe 11 in position while leaving it free to efiect'the clutching and declutching movement and as shown an inwardly extending flat lug 91 is fixed on the inner face of the shoe 11. A bifurcated bracket '88 fits over the lug, the base of the bracket being fixed at 99 to the exterior face of the web of the wheel l2.

Means are provided, operated automatically from the driver controlled brake mechanism, for expanding the shoe TI to clutch the drum whenever braking pressure is applied on the brake drum 5| of the inner wheel. To this end the drum 5| and its support 4| have limited arcuate relative movement upon its supporting hub member 39 and with respect to the wheel l2, in order to eifect the clutching and declutching action of the shoe 1'! with the drum II of the through openings in the fiat end of the brake drum 5|, through the apertured bosses 94, and through openings in an apertured annular plate 96, which plate abuts on the flat outer face of the web of the wheel I! and is nested within an annular shoulder 91 formed in the wheel web. The heads 98 of the bolts 95 abut on the outer side of the annular plate 96 and nuts 99 are screw threaded onto the bolts on the inner side of the flat plate of the brake drum 51. Thus the brake drum 5| and its support 4| on the inner side of the wheel l2 and the annular plate 96 on the outer side of the wheel |2 are held together by bolts 95, and are mounted for limited arcuate movement together relatively to the wheel l2. Fixed to and extending outwardly from the outer face of the annular plate 96=is a clutch actuating plate or finger 93, which extends into and occupies the gap between the thrust pieces 19 and 89, which are fixed to the ends of the clutch shoe Whenever the brake is applied to cause the shoes 55 to engage the brake drum 5|, the drum is retarded and there is relative movement of the drum 5| and annular plate 96 with respect to the wheel l2. Thereby the actuator plate or finger I93 is moved relatively to the positioning stop 93 (which is fixed to the'wheel I2). Thus one end of shoe I1 is moved circumferentially away from stop 83, and thereby the shoe is expanded to engage and clutch drum II and the braking pressure is thus applied concurrently to both wheels. In accordance with one feature of the invention, the contacting surfaces of the thrust pieces 19 and 39, the stop 83 and the clutch-actuating finger I93 are mutually angled to eifect highly efflcient clutching action. To this end all these engaging surfaces are outwardly convergingly inclined, and preferably the faces of the clutch band ends are parallel to the central radial line of the device. Thus when the clutchingaction is applied there is expansion of the shoe 11 due to the angular relative movement of stop 93 and" finger I93, and by reason of said inclination of all the contacting surfaces, there is an additional outward radial thrust of the shoe 11.

Means are provided for effecting adequate lubrication of the braking and clutching'devices from the general lubricating means for the wheel assembly. As embodied, a flaring sheet-like ring |95 is mounted against an annular shoulder I99 on the exterior of the hub 2| of the outer wheel, the flaring end extending toward the web of the inner wheel. Adjacent the edge of the ring I05 are a plurality of radially-disposed, outwardlyextending passages I01, formed in members 83 and 88, which terminate justwithin the annular plate 96. Thus lubricant supplied to the hub bearings of the wheels and flowing away therefrom is directed by the annular plate I 05 into the passages I01, and is directed onto the bearing surfaces between the plate 96 and the wheel web and over the outer face of the inner wheel, and is caught by the inwardly beveled inner diameter of the part I03, and carried through openings in the inner wheel and finally escapes through apertures I119. The axle and hub construction provides for maintaining a large main body of lubricant in contact with the axle and wheel bearings and within the cap 34 which eifecutally lubricates these bearingsand also lubricates the brake and clutch mechanisms as described. Inter-hub lubrication may be supplied, if desired, by suitable pressure means I08 which may be of any standard or convenient form. The waste or excess lubricant can drain of! through openings I09.

In Fig. 5 an economical and highly eflicient lubrication-means is shown'designed to effect adequate lubrication of practically all bearing surfaces from the main lubrication chamber for the wheel bearings. Excess or spare lubricant is conveyed from the chamber through openings H2 and space H3 onto and about the bushing 38 and thence into the annular space H4, which acts as a reservoir. The annular reservoir space 4 is formed between the back plate of the adapter 4|, which is shouldered annularly outwordly at 44a, the annular outer part being in sliding contact with the wheel. Lubricant also enters the reservoir through openings H5. From here the oil can lubricate the surfaces between the inner face of wheel l2 and the fiat rear surface of the brake drum adapter 4| and associated parts. Excess lubricant also passes through the openings H6 and finally passes out through the openings I09 in the wheel Web. This device also lubricates the outer surfaces of the inner wheel in the same manner as the lubricating means shown in Fig. l and previously described. The lubricant catcher 62a is shaped to fit in a space away but fairly close relation about the inner end of the bearing and of the end oil seal, and curves inwardly to a juncture with the adapter just outside the oil drainage orifices Hi5 so as to direct the caught lubricant thereinto. This mechanism provides a very complete lubrication for all contacting and sliding surfaces by the excess lubricant from the main bearing.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims Without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is:

l. A dual wheel structure for vehicles including in combination an inner wheel to be rotatively mounted on an axle, an outer wheel thereon mounted to rotate independently, a drum on the inner side of said outer wheel, a circumferentially interrupted annular expansible shoe within said drum, a stop fixed to said inner wheel and extending between the ends of said interrupted shoe to prevent circular movement thereof, a

75 brake drum mounted. on the inside of said inner wheel to have limited angular movement relatively to the wheel, a shoe within said last-mentioned brake drum and means for causing the shoe to exert braking pressure on the drum, means mounted on the inner wheel and connected to said inner brake drum to have angular movement therewith, including a member extending into the gap in said interrupted shoe of said outer drum'and acting to expand the shoe to lock the inner and outer wheels together when the braking pressure is applied on said inner brake drum.

2. A dual wheel structure for vehicles including in combination an inner wheel to be rotatively mounted on an axle, an outer wheel rotatively mounted on the hub of the inner wheel, a drum on the inner side of said outer wheel, a circumferentially interrupted annular expansible shoe within said drum, a stop fixed to said inner wheel and extending between the ends of said interrupted shoe to prevent circular movement thereof, a brake drum mounted on the inside of said inner wheel to have limited angular move- 'ment relatively to the wheel, a shoe within said last-mentioned brake drum and means for causing the shoe to exert braking pressure on the drum, means mounted on the inner wheel and connected to said inner brake drum to have angular movement therewith, including a member extending into the gap in said interrupted shoe of said outer drum and acting to expand the shoe to lock the inner and outer Wheels together when the braking pressure .is applied on said inner brake drum.

3. A dual wheel structure for vehicles including in combination an inner wheel to be rotatively mounted on an axle, an outer wheel mounted to rotate independently, a drum on the inner side of said outer wheel, a circumferentially interrupted annular expansible shoe within said drum, a stop fixed to said inner wheel and extending between the ends of said interrupted shoe to prevent circular movement thereof, a brake drum mounted on the inside of said inner wheel to have limited angular movement relatively to the Wheel, a shoe within said last-mentioned brake drum and means for causing the shoe to exert braking pressure on the drum, an annular plate mounted on theouter side'of the inner wheel and connected to said inner brake drum to have angular move-' ment therewith, a member fixed to said ring and extending into the gap in said interrupted shoe of said outer drum and acting to expand the shoe to lock the inner and outer wheels together when the braking pressure is applied on said inner brake drum.

4. A dual wheel structure for vehicles including between the ends of said interrupted shoe to prevent circular movement thereof, a brake drum mounted on the inside of said inner wheel to have limited angular movement relatively to the wheel, a shoe within said last-mentioned brake drum and means for causing the shoe to exert braking pressure on the drum, an annular plate mounted on the outer side of the inner wheel and connected to said inner brake drum to have angular movement therewith, a member'fixed to said ring and extending into the gap in said interrupted shoe of said outer and acting to expand iii? the shoe to lock the inner and outer wheels'together when the braking pressure is applied on said inner brake drum.

5. In a brake mechanism for dual, normally independently rotatable wheels, a brake drum mounted on one of the wheels, driver operated means for applying braking pressure to the drum, there being a plurality of arcuate slots in the wheel web, and a plurality of bosses extending from the rear of said drum through said slots, an annular plate fixed to said bosses on the opposite side of the Wheel from said drum, a drum fixed to the other wheel, a shoe within said drum, and connectionsfrom said annular plate to said last-mentioned drum and shoe for clutching the drum and shoe together and causing them to move with the first-mentioned wheel.

6. In a brake mechanism for dual, normally independently rotatable wheels, a drum fixed to one of said wheels, an annular interrupted shoe within said drum, a stop fixed to said wheel and projecting into the gap in the shoe to prevent angular movement of the shoe relatively to said wheel and drum, driver operated braking means mounted on the other wheel, and a finger connected to said braking means and extending into the gap in said annular shoe and acting when braking pressure is applied to expand the shoe to clutch the drum.

7. In a brake mechanism for dual wheels a I drum fixed to one of said wheels, an interrupted annular shoe within the drum, thrust pieces fixed to the ends of said shoe and having outwardly converging inclined contact faces, a stop fixed to another wheel and interposed between said thrust pieces and having outwardly converging inclined faces contacting with the like faces on the thrust pieces, and a finger connected to the other wheel and interposed between the thrust pieces and having outwardly converging inclined 'faces engaging the like faces on said thrust pieces and being relatively movable to expand said shoe to grip the shoe and drum together.

' 8. A dual wheel structure for vehicles includ ing in combination an inner wheel to be rotatively mounted on an axle, an outer wheel there on mounted to rotate independently, driver operated braking means mounted on one of said Wheels and including parts in contact with and movable relatively to the wheel, connections between said braking means and the other wheel for clutching the wheels together when the brake is applied, said connections. including contacting relatively movable parts, means for maintaining a body of lubricant in contact with the wheel bearings on the axle shaft, means for conveying lubricant from said main body to said contacting and relatively movable surfaces and means for deflecting the conveyed lubricant away from the contacting parts of the braking and clutching means.

9. A dual wheel structure for vehicles includ ing in combination an inner wheel to be rotatively mounted on an axle, an outer wheel thereon mounted to rotate independently, braking means mounted on one of said wheels, clutch means between said wheels for clutching the wheels together when the brake is applied and including relatively movable parts on the inner Wheel, means for maintaining a body of lubricant in contact with the wheel hearings on the axle shaft, means for conveying lubricant from said main body to said contacting and relatively movable surfaces and means for deflecting the conveyed lubricant away from the contacting parts of the braking and clutching means.

10. A dual wheel structure for vehicles including in combination an inner wheel and an outer wheel to be relatively and independently rotatable on an axle, braking means for one of the wheels, a clutch for clutching the 'two wheels together and means including a member relatively rotatable on the braked wheel for actuating the clutch, means for maintaining a body of lubricant on the wheel bearings, an outlet passage for lubricant said passage including the contacting surfaces of the clutch actuating member and the wheel on which it is mounted and means for deflecting the conveyed lubricant away from the contacting parts of the braking and clutching means.

11. A dual wheel structure for vehicles in ings, an outlet passage for lubricant, said passage supplying the lubricant to the contacting surfaces between said drum and the wheel and between said clutch actuating member and the wheel and means for deflecting the conveyed lubricant away from the contacting parts of the braking and clutching means.

12. A dual wheel structure for vehicles including in combination an inner wheel and an outer wheel tobe relatively and independently rotatable on an axle, braking means including a drum mounted came of the wheels and having angular movement relatively to and in contact with the wheel, means for maintaining a body of lubricant on the wheel bearings, an outlet passage for lubricant, said passage supplying the lubricant to the contacting surfaces between said drum and the wheel and means for defleeting the conveyed lubricant away from the contacting parts of the braking and clutching means.

CHARLES S.. ASH. 

